JAMMU, Oct 10: In order to make preliminary preparations for winter sports an Executive Committee meeting of Winter Games Association of J&K (WGAJK) was held here today.

The meeting was presided over by its president and MLA Gulmarg Mohammad Abass Wani.

Director Tourism Mahmood Ahmad Shah, district representatives, other office bearers of the association were present in the meeting.

The main agenda of the meeting was to conduct ski camps and competitions from district levels to national in different snow sports and to make the forthcoming winter season a grand success.

Speaking on the occasion, Abass Wani stressed on the need of homologating the ski slopes at Kongdori and getting them certified from International Ski Federation for holding major events here.

Abass also informed that the Tourism Department is facilitating the association by providing some accommodation for use of local athletes.

The meeting appreciated the Tourism Department for procuring the competition equipment for local youth without which they were not permitted to take part in any national or international championships.

Abbas said Gulmarg is one the best ski destinations in the word which attracts skiers from across globe.

“The championships in winter games especially in ski and snowboarding boosts tourism sector. Adventure lovers from many parts of the world visit Gulmarg for skiing and snowboarding. We should try to hold maximum events of national and international level at Gulmarg,” said MLA Gulmarg.

The President WGAJK also informed that purchase of ski equipment and allocation of sufficient funds stand submitted to the State Sports Council who also have assured their full support and cooperation.

Addressing the meeting, Director Tourism said that holding of winter sporting events would add to the efforts of Tourism Department to make the winter tourism a success.

He said the department will provide all sort of logistic and financial support to the association to make its endeavor a success.

The General Secretary, Muhammad Yusuf informed that the association would host a mega All India Open Championship for different categories in which all snow sports disciplines like Alpine ski, Nordic ski and Snowboarding would be included.

WGAJK also announced setting up on also approved annual sports calendar in the meeting.

A International Ski Federation (FIS) survey report was submitted to Director Tourism for further action.

During the meeting, homologation and certification of the ski slopes at Gulmarg was also discussed.

SRINAGAR, Oct 10: Chief minister, Mehbooba Mufti has sought immediate redressal of connectivity issues of Leh and Kargil districts and in this regard requested the centre for taking appropriate measures.
In her letter to the union communications minister, Manoj Sinha, the chief minister said given the fact that these two districts remain cut off from the Valley for a major period of the year, mobile connectivity to the region ought to be made more dependable by taking appropriate measures.
It